• Jim Redmond, father of former British sprinter Derek Redmond, dies aged 81.
• He helped his injured son finish the 400-meter semifinal of 1992 Olympics.
• Derek tore his hamstring on back straight, made an effort to stagger to finish line.

Jim Redmond, the father of former British sprinter Derek Redmond, who helped his injured son finish the 400-meter semifinal of 1992 Olympics.

In one of sports’ most iconic moments, has passed away at the age of 81.

The quickest timer in his heat, Derek, who was in excellent shape going into the Barcelona Games, tore his hamstring on the back straight. But instead of going to the doctor, he made an effort to stagger to the finish line.

As he rounded the curve, he was joined by his father Jim who barged past track officials and waved them away, holding his inconsolable son and crossing the line together as the fans at the stadium gave them a standing ovation.

“Our thoughts are with Derek Redmond and his family following the death of his father, Jim,” the Olympic Games said on Twitter on Tuesday.

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Our thoughts are with Derek Redmond and his family following the death of his father, Jim.

Together, they brought us one of the most inspirational moments in Olympic history. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IyHekB2fyP

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) October 4, 2022

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“Together, they brought us one of the most inspirational moments in Olympic history.”

Team GB said: “Rest in peace Jim Redmond, father to Derek, whose Olympic moment will never be forgotten.”

Two decades after helping Derek cross the line, Jim would go on to be a torch bearer at the London 2012 Olympics.

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“Whatever happened, he had to finish and I was going to help him finish,” Jim had told the BBC after the race.

“We started his career together and we were going to finish it together.”

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